2025 Performing Artist Showcase

Shared recital programs featuring new and emerging music

Selection committee:

Dr. Karen Marston, Director, ITF; Mt San Antonio College
Dr. Justin Cook, Manager, ITF; University of Central Arkansas
Dr. Christopher Van Hof, Assistant Manager, ITF; Ball State University
Dr. Hana Beloglavec, Florida State University

Performing artists from around the world are selected through an adjudicated application process to perform in one of four shared showcase recitals at the ITF. The Performing Artist Showcase is open to professional trombonists, working in a range of fields, including (but not limited to) private or university teaching, orchestral, solo, chamber music performances, and/or freelancing. 

Performers are encouraged to feature new music and/or emerging works, but established repertoire that has not yet gained worldwide recognition is also welcomed.

Be sure to look for the excellent artists below in one of our Performing Arist Showcase recitals!

Andrés Santín, Aguascalientes Philharmonic Orchestra, with Pia-Bón (Piano)

  • The purpose of this program is to present popular and Bel canto music created in the American continent. The repertoire includes folk music from Native American Indians, Hawaii, the east coast of Mexico, opera pieces composed by Latin American composers and a world premiere of a suite for bass trombone and piano written by the Mexican composer Guillermo Álvarez Navarro.

    The objective of this recital is to spread the music that was formed in the original cultures of our continent, the mixture of two worlds, in which we inherited the western tradition in music and we have as a result this combination of sounds, lyrics and thoughts originating in a continent that spans from pole to pole.

    All this repertoire is performed on bass trombone and piano, also seeking to emphasize the bass trombone as a solo instrument within chamber music and seeks to unify a continent through music where borders should not exist.

  • Andrés Santín, Bass Trombone, Orchestra Director and Music Educator. He was Bass Trombone of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra and the University Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí. He has been a soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, and in the International Trombone Festival in 2021 held in Columbus GA, USA. In that same year he was awarded second place in the International Music Competition: Marker and Pioneer in the Professional category in Los Angeles California.

    As a orchestra conductor he has trained with Dr. Jorge Perez-Gómez, Gaetan Kuchta (France), and Jorge Mester, of whom he was a student from 2019 to 2024. He has been the conductor of the Boca del Río Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the Community of Municipal Orchestras of Aguascalientes, the Bajío Chamber Orchestra and the Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra. He was Conductor Assistant in Boca del Río Philharmonic Orchestra.

    He studied the Regional Institute of Fine Arts of Orizaba, Autonomous University of Aguascalientes and University of Veracruz, obtaining a Master of Music degree with a specialty in Orchestral Conducting. Andrés Santín is from Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico. He is the father and husband of the most wonderful women in this world.

Jeremy A. Marks, Bowling Green State University

  • "Put Me to Rest (And Out of My Misery!), written by Madeline Lee was premiered and chosen as a winning selection from the 2019 International Trombone Festival Composer Workshop.

  • Dr. Jeremy Marks is the Assistant Professor of Trombone at Bowling Green State University. Jeremy's versatile freelancing career on tenor and bass trombone have afforded opportunities to perform with the Charlotte Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Winston Salem Symphony, Augusta Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Baton Rouge Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, and numerous regional orchestras. His doubling credits on bass trumpet and euphonium have been with Austin Symphony and Canton Symphony orchestras.  Respectively, Jeremy has held tenor and bass trombone positions with the Asheville Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, Monroe Symphony, Sherman Symphony, Brazos Valley Symphony, North Carolina Brass Band, and a one-year interim with Opera Carolina.

    Jeremy’s advocacy for new trombone repertoire includes a commission of six new trombone ensemble compositions, which were premiered and recorded by the Carolina Trombone Project through Albany Records, entitled Mountain Ascent. Jeremy has performed and presented at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, International Women’s Brass Conference, and numerous regional, state, and local conferences.

    Jeremy earned degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, Western Michigan University, and Bowling Green State University. He exclusively performs on S.E. Shires Trombones and Greg Black Mouthpieces. Find more information at trombonemarks.com.


Dan Barrett, University of Maine, with Michell Flowers, Steve Norris, and David Stern

  • This is a performance of a new work for trombone quartet, composed this year. The general style seemed to develop after seeing and hearing the Melissa Aldana trio perform two nights in Maine in fall of 2023. Although this is not necessarily meant to sound like Melissa's music, her melodic gestures and the counterpoint of her trio was influential, and pulled me in a new direction.

    This piece is in three movements (untitled thus far), each about 3 minutes long. I've included a recording on the first movement.

  • Dr. Dan Barrett teaches trombone and directs the Jazz Studies area at the University of Maine. His career has included performances with the Utah Symphony, the Bangor Symphony, and many other ensembles, as well as solo performances with the Carson City Symphony, the Bowdoin College Concert Band, the Brigham Young University Philharmonic Orchestra, the Utah Premiere Brass Band, and several ensembles at the University of Maine. He has twice been a guest artist at the American Trombone Workshop and was a national finalist in the MTNA Brass Solo and Chamber Music competitions. Dr. Barrett is a founding member of Mainely Baroque, a collaboration of European musicians and UMaine students and faculty, which assembles periodically in Maine or southern Italy for concerts and workshops on music of the 17th century. He is the author of Solo Training for Trombone, a book of exercises based on standard solo repertoire, published by Mountain Peak Music. Dr. Barrett attended the University of Nevada, and Brigham Young University, where he received Bachelors and Masters Degrees in trombone performance. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University where his doctoral research focused on the music of Daniel Schnyder.

Cole Bartels, Central Michigan University

  • "You may say I’m a Dreamer" is written for solo trombone, delay pedal, and pre-recorded narration of the late John Lennon, featuring snippets of recorded interviews of the singer and musical quotations from iconic Beatles songs as source material. This piece focuses around Lennon's political engagements, peace activism, and fight for civil rights.

    The work includes musical quotations of 2 iconic Beatles songs: “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “I am the Walrus” (both written by John Lennon and credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney), and the other 2 works featured are from Lennon’s solo years: “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine”.

    Composer Brian Mark utilizes the digital delay pedal to create dense layers of overlapping musical material, and uses a variety of timbral, textural, and pitch effects, including microtones, to dramatically expand the expressive palate of the solo trombone. I commissioned and premiered this piece in 2022 with grant funding, and am slated to perform the work twice this fall including at a concert in NYC not far from where Lennon was murdered.

  • Dr. Cole Bartels is the Assistant Professor of Trombone at Central Michigan University where he joined the faculty in 2023.

    His debut solo album entitled ‘On the Brink’ released by cmntx records features an eclectic mix of new music for trombone. One of his current creative endeavors involves a program of cutting edge electro-acoustic music written for his trombone quartet, Beltline Bones. The quartet released their first album ‘Audiogenica’ in March 2024 with cmntx records.

    He has the distinct pleasure of performing in a wide array of genres outside of classical music. Some recent highlights include touring with the NYChillharmonic and Aberdeen, performing with jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, and appearances with salsa artists Los Adolescentes, Tony Vega, and Willie Gonzalez. He also frequently performs with symphony orchestras throughout Michigan including Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Midland.

    Bartels holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (DMA ’22), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (MM ’19), and Concordia College (BM ’17), with additional certifications in jazz studies and music theory pedagogy. His primary teachers included Mark Hetzler, Dr. Alex van Duuren, Dr. Nat Dickey, and Dr. Ed Huttlin. Cole is a performing artist for Long Island Brass Co. mouthpieces.

Drew Leslie, Colorado State University

  • Dr. Drew Leslie joined the faculty of the Colorado State University School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the fall of 2019 and is currently the Associate Professor of Trombone. He has broad experience as a professional trombonist and music educator, performing and teaching throughout the world in a number of different settings. Recent performance highlights include the Colorado Symphony, Hawaii Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Eugene Symphony, performances at the International Trombone Festival and the American Trombone Workshop, and recitals in Oregon, Kentucky, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Additional performance highlights include the Santo Domingo Festival Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Jungfrau Music Festival (Switzerland), Mid-Europe Festival (Austria), Wiltz Open-Air Festival (Luxembourg), and Festival Veranos de la Villa (Spain). Equally as passionate about music education, Leslie has presented numerous masterclasses at universities across the country and served on the faculty of the Cannon Summer Music Camp. Dr. Leslie received his D.M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, his M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music, and his B.M. from the University of Michigan. His primary instructors include Nathaniel Brickens, Per Brevig, Michael Powell, David Jackson, H. Dennis Smith, and Jonathan Holtfreter.

  • Dr. Drew Leslie joined the faculty of the Colorado State University School of Music, Theatre and Dance in the fall of 2019 and is currently the Associate Professor of Trombone. He has broad experience as a professional trombonist and music educator, performing and teaching throughout the world in a number of different settings. Recent performance highlights include the Colorado Symphony, Hawaii Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Eugene Symphony, performances at the International Trombone Festival and the American Trombone Workshop, and recitals in Oregon, Kentucky, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Additional performance highlights include the Santo Domingo Festival Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Jungfrau Music Festival (Switzerland), Mid-Europe Festival (Austria), Wiltz Open-Air Festival (Luxembourg), and Festival Veranos de la Villa (Spain). Equally as passionate about music education, Leslie has presented numerous masterclasses at universities across the country and served on the faculty of the Cannon Summer Music Camp. Dr. Leslie received his D.M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, his M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music, and his B.M. from the University of Michigan. His primary instructors include Nathaniel Brickens, Per Brevig, Michael Powell, David Jackson, H. Dennis Smith, and Jonathan Holtfreter.

Dale Sorensen, University of Prince Edward Island, with Richard Burrows, percussion

  • Jocelyn Morlock, one of Canada's leading composers, died suddenly in March 2023. I would like to introduce an international audience to her fantastic recent work, Fracas for trombone and percussion (6:30), which I commissioned. Program note: “Fracas is a jovial onslaught of sound and rhythm. Trombonist and percussionist duel in an energetic, fierce, but ultimately fun battle that keeps performers and audience alike on their toes.”

  • Dale Sorensen is the Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada, where he teaches applied brass and conducts the UPEI Wind Symphony. An active performer in a variety of musical genres, Dale is a member of the Charlottetown Festival Orchestra, the PEI Symphony Orchestra, the Maritime Brass Quintet, and a regular guest with Symphony Nova Scotia. As a soloist, Dale has premiered more than 25 Canadian trombone works and recorded an all-Canadian album of music for trombone. He is a Yamaha Artist and plays Yamaha instruments exclusively. For more information, visit islandtrombone.com.

    Richard Burrows, Director of Percussion at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University, is a distinguished percussionist who has premiered numerous works by leading composers, and shared the stage with artists such as Nebosja Jovan Zivkovic, She-e Wu, Evelyn Glennie, and NEXUS. He is a founding member of TorQ Percussion Quartet, an ensemble that has captivated audiences worldwide with its eclectic repertoire and engaging stage presence, recorded numerous albums, and given concerto performances with Toronto Symphony, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, and others. Burrows is also the artistic director of the annual Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound.

Nathan Musch, University of Michigan-Flint, with Liz Ames, piano

  • Premiering the trombone version of Margaret Brouwer’s Sonata for Horn and Piano will give trombonists and other festival attendees a special and unique perspective on this reverent, two movement work. This performance will showcase both the lyrical and technical aspects of the trombone through the sustained, plaintive melodies in "Hymn," and with the energized ostinato figures, soaring lines, and intervallic leaps in "Riding to Higher Clouds."

    Dr. Brouwer, a celebrated and award-winning composer, writes the following on the Sonata:

    “At the turn of the new century and after a century of atonality, I was interested in exploring new harmonic directions.  Somehow, it seemed as if something new should happen in a new century.  The Sonata for Horn and Piano is representative of explorations of mine done between 1995 and 1999 toward a personal expression in a new direction.  It is also a very personal expression of searching prompted by the deaths of two loved ones within a year’s time.  Hymn, straightforward and melodic, expresses grief and faith.  Riding to Higher Clouds deals with the complex struggle between the conflicting emotions of loss, hope, memories, and understanding.”

  • Nate Musch, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is active as an orchestral and chamber trombonist, and as a music educator. He performs regularly with the Grand Rapids Symphony, and has appeared with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Kalamazoo Symphony, the West Michigan Symphony, and the Brass Band of Battle Creek. Nate recently performed on bass trombone with the Detroit Chamber Winds, and on bass trumpet with the Brno Philharmonic.

    As an educator, Dr. Musch is currently Lecturer of Low Brass at the University of Michigan-Flint. He previously taught at Calvin University as the Adjunct Professor of Trombone and Euphonium and with the Grand Rapids Symphony's Mosaic Scholarship Program as Instructor of Trombone.

    Nate holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan, as well as music degrees from Western Michigan University and Calvin University.

Daniel J. Cosio, University of Northern Colorado

  • Flux is a piece for solo bass trombone written for Dan Morris by Timothy Higgins. It does not have a composition year listed as 2014, and Dan tells me that it is definitely unrecorded. Higgins writes,

    “Flux, for solo bass trombone, was commissioned by bass trombonist Dan Morris in 2014. The basis of the work is the 5 stages of loss and grief by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross: Denial and Isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance.

    Each movement explores a different stage of the cycle. With the exception of the first and last movement (Prelude and Acceptance), there is no specific order in which they need to be performed. It is up to the performer to decide on the order of the middle movements.”

    The piece will debut at my faculty recital in February as part of a larger grief-related program. It fits into innovation because of its wide range of mute use, giving each movement (and therefore, each stage of the Kübler-Ross theorem) its own voice. As its only performance before ITF will be my faculty recital in Colorado, this will also be the Canadian/international debut of this piece. As such, it would be an incredibly valuable addition to the recital programs.

  • Daniel J. Cosio is the Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Northern Colorado, a position he is proud to have earned in 2024. His trombone performance acumen has allowed him to perform with the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Mississippi Valley Orchestra, along with his duties as Bass Trombone of the Helena Symphony Orchestra. Besides the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Daniel’s jazz experience includes performances with the William & the Romantics Big Band, Orquesta La Brava, the Flatirons Jazz Orchestra, the Basically Basie Big Band, and the After Hours Big Band, with which Daniel was featured as a soloist alongside saxophonist Grace Kelly. Daniel is also an avid composer, arranger, and supporter of new music. Two of his jazz writings, Avec Tout Mon Amour and Some More Blues, debuted in consecutive years at the University of Minnesota Jazz Festival by the Jazz 1 Big Band, and Daniel’s arrangement of Turbo Scramjet for trombone choir was featured on his YouTube page as an overdub. His newest commission, Of Music & Mourning, debuted in February of 2025 during his faculty recital at the University of Northern Colorado.


James Albrecht, University of Nevada, Reno

  • I will present the first live rendition of a newly adapted work by Tony Chipurn, retired principal trombone of the Cincinnati Symphony. Originally composed in 2024 for trumpet soloist Lucienne Renaudin Vary, Chipurn has adapted this piece for tenor trombone. This performance showcases the instrument’s lyrical and technical capabilities, highlighting its expressive depth and tonal variety.

    By premiering this trombone adaptation, the program embraces the recital series’ focus on innovation and new music. Chipurn’s piece exemplifies the dynamic relationship between instruments, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary composition while expanding the trombone’s solo repertoire. This performance reflects a commitment to advancing the instrument’s role in modern music and highlights the value of adaptation as a creative process.

  • Jim Albrecht joined the University of Nevada, Reno music faculty in 2018, serving as principal trombonist of the Reno Philharmonic and performing regularly with the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Great Basin Brass Quintet. He previously taught at the University of Akron and was 2nd trombonist in the Memphis Symphony.

    Albrecht has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Pittsburgh Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and Honolulu Symphony, among others. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with groups like the Southeast Trombone Symposium Professors Choir, Burning River Brass, and the Sequenza Trombone Quartet.

    He earned his Bachelor of Music at the Manhattan School of Music, a Master of Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Memphis. His principal teachers include Tony Chipurn, Peter Sullivan, Richard Stout, Mark Lawrence, David Finlayson, Steve Witser, and Edward Zadrozny.

Brent Mead, Wichita Symphony

  • I'll be performing a short, unaccompanied work "After the Rain" by Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock. To my knowledge, this piece is unpublished and I received permission to perform this work from Jocelyn in 2020. This work is based on a poem of the same name by Jared Carter. The poem reflects on the the dual nature of rain; it can bring damage but it can also bring life. Jocelyn's composition effectively captures that reflection in this pondering, questioning work that is virtuosic, yet lyrical for the trombone.

  • Brent Mead, a Mason City, IA native, is an enthusiastic performer, educator, and supporter of music in the Kansas City area. During his career, Brent has enjoyed serving his community in several performing and educational roles. He joined the Wichita Symphony as principal trombone in 2018. He has performed with the Kansas City Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Fountain City Brass Band, Sunflower Music Festival Orchestra, Ad Astra Music Festival Orchestra, and many other ensembles. Brent created an educational program of new works for solo trombone and fixed media designed around the struggles of life in 2022. This program, Stories, discusses topics like failure, jealousy, abuse, anxiety, and uncertainty of the future with the hopes of normalizing the sharing of our struggles. During his master’s degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Brent was a member of the Volker Brass. Brent is also passionate about education and enjoys sharing his love of music. In 2021, Brent joined the faculty at MidAmerica Nazarene University where he teaches applied low brass lessons, music history, and aural skills.

Entropy: Nathan Dishman, Butler University, with Zach Cooper, horn

  • Written and premiered virtually in March of 2022, this piece is a spectacular chamber collaboration for horn, trombone, and piano.  We all know Amy Riebs Mills for her brilliant composition, Red Dragonfly.  One More Mountain evokes similar imagery connected to very specific emotions indicated in the music.  Mills describes sections of this piece using the headings Honor, Heroic Ride, Dramatic, and Triumphant.  Entropy is thrilled for One More Mountain to be the first composition by Mills to include horn as a featured instrument.  This piece was recently perform at the 2024 Mid South Horn Workshop.  One More Mountain is published and available for purchase through Subito Music.

  • In 2015, Zach Copper (Butler University) and Nathan Dishman (Iowa State University) set out to provide entertainment through creative means while stretching the bounds of brass performance.  Six years later they took the name Entropy, which is defined as “a lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder.” This definition perfectly describes the back-and-forth discussions that occurred when forming this chamber group.  Entropy is committed to diverse programming and close-knit collaborations with rising composers including Austin Hammonds (LA based film score composer) and Amy Riebs Mills (east coast composer/conductor).  In addition to their performance careers, Zach and Nathan mirror one another with their positions in academia.  Both members teach in their applied area as well as music theory.  Their families also share striking similarities with spouses named Jennifer, two kids, and two dogs. 


Aaron Chan

  • Chrome Heart is written by Brandon Mirvil, a trombonist and composer. I have known Brandon from our studies at the Frost School of Music and the University of Miami - he was an undergrad in composition while I was pursuing my doctorate degree. His music resonated strongly with me and I was a great admirer of his compositional style. Thus, I was greatly honored and excited when he agreed to write a piece for bass trombone and piano for my final doctoral recital. Chrome Heart premiered in December 2023, has been performed at the 2024 ITF composer workshop, and is now published by C. Sharpe Editions. This work represents a fresh take on the modern musical writing for the bass trombone and piano, featuring unique harmonies and tonalities, beautiful and unforgettable melodies, and a complex range of emotions.

  • Chan

    Chrome Heart, Brandon Mirvil

    Description

    Chrome Heart is written by Brandon Mirvil, a trombonist and composer. I have known Brandon from our studies at the Frost School of Music and the University of Miami - he was an undergrad in composition while I was pursuing my doctorate degree. His music resonated strongly with me and I was a great admirer of his compositional style. Thus, I was greatly honored and excited when he agreed to write a piece for bass trombone and piano for my final doctoral recital. Chrome Heart premiered in December 2023, has been performed at the 2024 ITF composer workshop, and is now published by C. Sharpe Editions. This work represents a fresh take on the modern musical writing for the bass trombone and piano, featuring unique harmonies and tonalities, beautiful and unforgettable melodies, and a complex range of emotions.

    Biography

    Aaron Chan is a tenor and bass trombonist from Toronto, Canada and previously based in Miami, FL. He served as the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Punta Gorda Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician in South Florida, he has performed with the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Frost Symphony Orchestra. While in Canada, Aaron has also performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Griffin Brass Band, and the Sheraton Cadwell Jazz Orchestra.

    During his summers, Aaron has been a participant of numerous music festivals and programs such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, National Academy Orchestra of Canada, Festival Napa Valley, Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA), and was an Opera Fellow at the Miami Music Festival. He has been fortunate enough to perform for some of the most prominent trombone players in the world, including Ian Bousfield, Pete Sullivan, Jeff Dee, and Alain Trudel. Aaron completed his doctoral studies at the University of Miami Frost School of Music as a Fellow in the Henry Mancini Institute. He has obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at McGill University’s

    Schulich School of Music in Montreal, Canada with a Graduate Excellence Fellowship and has completed his Professional Performer’s Certificate at Lynn University Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton. His principal teachers include Tim Conner, Dan Satterwhite, James Box, and Trevor Dix.

Christopher Sharpe, Murray State University

  • Romp and Ripple by Ash Stemke (Assistant Professor of Composition, Murray State University) is a light work originally written for tuba and piano in 2022. This performance is the first performance of the work by a bass trombonist. The piece features playful conversation between the solo voice and the piano and asks the soloist to play across the entire range of their instrument.

  • Dr. Christopher Sharpe is Assistant Professor of Trombone at Murray State University. He has previously held positions at the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College. Christopher holds DMA and MM degrees in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas as well as a BM in Trombone Performance and Music Education from the University of Tennessee.

    Dr. Sharpe’s performance experience includes performances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Opera Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, and three years with the GRAMMY-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. He can be heard on recordings with the One O’Clock Lab Band, the Toshi Clinch Big Band, and Natalie Mannix.

    Dr. Sharpe is the founder of C. Sharpe Editions, a sheet music publishing company specializing in music for solo trombone and trombone ensembles; he is an avid composer and arranger under the name Chris M. Sharpe, and his compositions have been performed at events such as the International Trombone Festival, the International Women's Brass Conference, and the American Trombone Workshop. He is also the author of Bass Trombone Double Valve Technique, a method book for bass trombonists looking to develop advanced technique with both valves, available at www.CSharpeEditions.com.

Philip Martinson, Oklahoma City Philharmonic

  • This performance will feature Robert Chambers' Sonata for Trombone Alone, a composition influenced by the harmonic innovations of Scriabin, particularly his use of the “mystic" or "Prometheus" chord. This composition was composed and in 2013, and would represent an ITF premiere.

    Dr. Robert Chambers was professor of trombone at Southwestern Oklahoma State University for over forty years. He composed works that remain relatively unknown, and have seldom been performed outside of his teaching university. His Sonata for Trombone Alone showcases an intricate exploration of the instrument’s harmonic possibilities, combining technical demand and non-traditional techniques with a sophisticated, almost mystical sound world inspired by Scriabin.

    Dr. Philip Martinson enjoys an exciting multifaceted musical career serving as Principal Trombone of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and Associate Professor of Music at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Martinson also serves as Principal Trombone of the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, and is active as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician throughout the United States. He has performed at numerous International Trombone Festivals, the International Music by Women Festival, OK Mozart International Music Festival, SHE: Festival of Women in Music, and the American Trombone Workshop.

    Prior to joining the OKC Philharmonic, Martinson held the position of second trombone with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra (FL) for three seasons. Recognition and advancement in the International Trombone Association Robert Marsteller, Gilberto Gagliardi/Weril, and Larry Wiehe solo competitions, as well as competing as a finalist in the 2016 American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition, further speak to his proficiency as a trombonist. He holds degrees from Indiana University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Akron. His primary teachers include Dr. Irvin Wagner, Peter Ellefson, Stephen Fissel, Ed Zadrozny, and Dr. Jim Robertson. He is a native of Huntley, MT.

  • In 2015, Zach Copper (Butler University) and Nathan Dishman (Iowa State University) set out to provide entertainment through creative means while stretching the bounds of brass performance.  Six years later they took the name Entropy, which is defined as “a lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder.” This definition perfectly describes the back-and-forth discussions that occurred when forming this chamber group.  Entropy is committed to diverse programming and close-knit collaborations with rising composers including Austin Hammonds (LA based film score composer) and Amy Riebs Mills (east coast composer/conductor).  In addition to their performance careers, Zach and Nathan mirror one another with their positions in academia.  Both members teach in their applied area as well as music theory.  Their families also share striking similarities with spouses named Jennifer, two kids, and two dogs. 


Jason Sulliman, Associate Professor of Trombone, Troy University

  • Nightcall swims through dark and expansive relationships between sound and echo. Composed by Dr. Traci Mendel in 2019, this work enables the performer to alternate facing out toward the audience, or into the lid of a piano (with activated sustain pedal), and experiment with performing against the backdrop of the sympathetic resonance created by previous phrases. This sonic backdrop moves beyond that of merely accompaniment and creates an ethereal soundscape that lives in duality with the live music itself.

    Nightcall is a highly accessible work for both tenor and bass trombonists at the undergraduate level. It requires no accompanist beyond an activated sustain pedal on a piano, and provides vast opportunities for contemporary sound colors without potentially cost-prohibitive equipment (pedals, microphones, etc.). This five-minute, single movement work is ideal for an undergraduate recital and can provide diversity and rich opportunities for innovation of tone color by the performer without being too particularly taxing on the chops.

    Nightcall was premiered in 2019 by Dr. Jason Sulliman at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.

  • Dr. Jason Sulliman is an innovative brass teacher who combines principles from kinesiology and cognitive science to rethink pedagogy in the 21st-century. He is a leading expert on facial stability and embouchure rehabilitation and is in constant demand as a consultant with professional wind musicians all over the world. Recent presentations include the Midwest Clinic, Juilliard, Eastman, TMEA, ITG, and the ITF. Currently, Jason is Associate Professor of Trombone at Troy University.

    Jason earned his DM in Brass Pedagogy from Indiana University where he also studied kinesiology and cognitive science. Dr. Sulliman also holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and the University of Massachusetts.

    As a performer, Jason is the current bass trombonist for the Meridian Symphony (MS) and is an active freelancer with several orchestras throughout the southeastern United States. His performance experience includes ensembles such as the Indianapolis Symphony, the Alabama Symphony, the Dallas Brass Quintet, and the Atlantic Brass Band.

    Jason is passionate about providing resources to developing players of all ages through social media and is proud to be an M & W Custom Trombone artist.

Carli Castillon, DMA candidate, University of Florida, with Dr. Jemmie Robertson

  • Musical Chairs (2024) is an interactive piece written for two trombones and 7 audience participants. The work features 7 brief themes, one for each audience contestant and 6 short movements of music which serve as the background music for 6 rounds of musical chairs. The rounds and themes vary in style from funk, jazz, sea shanty, classical, and klezmer. There is an additional 7th movement reserved for use of a tie breaker if necessary. This piece is upbeat, fun, and provides a fresh perspective of the line between performers and audience members, creating a fun performance environment and a breaking of the "4th wall." Zoe Cutler's masterful rhythmic writing paired with a charismatic performance and by the trombonists and audience participants leads to an energetic and exciting event!

  • Jemmie Robertson is Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Florida and Principal Trombone of the Gainesville Orchestra. He holds degrees from Northwestern University (DM, 2006), Yale University (MM, 2003), and the University of Northern Colorado (BM, 1997). Jemmie has performed internationally, including recent engagements in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. He has collaborated with orchestras like the Florida Orchestra and the St. Louis Symphony. A founding member of the American Trombone Quartet, he has released four solo albums and is recognized as an Edwards Artist and Clinician. Jemmie’s extensive experience enriches his teaching and performance.

    Hailing from Port Orange, FL, Carli Castillon is a doctoral candidate in Trombone Performance at the University of Florida, also pursuing a graduate certificate in Women’s Studies with a focus on gender biases in music education. Since 2023, she has been Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at the College of Central Florida. Carli performs regularly with the Ocala Symphony and Gainesville Orchestra, and serves as principal trombone for both the UF Symphony Orchestra and the UF Brass Band. Additionally, she is a low brass technician for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and has worked with various marching bands.

Dr. Adam Graham, Grand Valley State University

  • My goal for sharing Mitten State Postcards for bass trombone and piano by Josh Trentadue with the international trombone community is to highlight a piece of art that has tangible connections for the performer and audience. The piece has been completed and I am excited to premiere the work in late January 2025. I believe that it will enrich recital programs for many bass trombonists looking for new repertoire for years to come.

    From the composer’s program notes:

    “Mitten State Postcards is not a traditional sonata in the sense of its formal structure. Rather, it's a vignette of several short movements highlighting different aspects of my home state Michigan and how they connect with the four classic elements - water, fire, earth, and air. It has been several years since I wrote music inspired by this beautiful state - I am grateful to Adam for the opportunity to return to this inspiration from an altogether different approach, and perhaps from a changed perspective as well.”  -JT

  • A graduate of Onekama High School, Dr. Adam Graham was appointed Grand Rapids Community College Instructor of Low Brass in 2023. In addition to teaching applied lessons for GRCC students on trombone, euphonium, and tuba, Dr. Graham teaches music courses in the GRCC Middle College program.

    Currently serving as bass trombonist of the Holland Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Graham has also performed with the Lansing, Traverse, Midland, Battle Creek, and West Michigan Symphonies. An active freelance musician across the state, Dr. Graham enjoys performing in many diverse styles including big band, jazz, church, and chamber music; he is currently bass trombonist with the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, Hark Up Big Band, and GROẞE SEEN BIERBAND. As a bass trombonist of the MSU Jazz Trombones, Dr. Graham won the International Trombone Association’s Kai Winding Jazz Ensemble Competition in 2014.

    Dr. Graham earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance at Michigan State University studying with Ava Ordman and Curtis Olson. A major focus of his research has been to highlight contributions to bass trombone repertoire by Michigan composers. Under the tutelage of Dr. Mark Williams, Dr. Graham earned his BM in trombone performance from Grand Valley State University. Dr. Graham has also served as Visiting Professor at GVSU teaching applied trombone and as Instructor of Low Brass at Hope College.

    Dr. Graham also serves on faculty at Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University Community Music School, and Lansing Community College.

Michelle Flowers, Southeastern Oklahoma State University

  • Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a Native American Non-tribal Instituation.  To honor our close association with the Choctaw tribe, I commissioned a piece by Charles Shadle, a noted Choctaw composer, to write a trombone solo which incorporates and honors the Choctaw tradition.  This piece recognizes important cultural traditions and historical aspects of the Choctaw tribe as well as musical elements indicative of their musical heritage.

  • Michelle Flowers is an avid trombonist who has performed nationally and internationally in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany with a wide variety of ensembles ranging from opera and musical theater orchestras to jazz ensembles and even a circus band.  She is a founding member of The Coal Hill Quartet, Blue Box Brass, and Denton Brass Collective chamber ensembles and performs with the San Angelo Symphony, Flower Mound Symphony, Dallas Asian Area Youth Orchestra, and as a freelancer in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.  She has performed and presented multiple times at the International Trombone Festival, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the National Association of Winds and Percussion Association, and TMEA.  Michelle is the adjunct trombone at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and adjunct professor of low brass at Tarrant County College, In addition to teaching, she is a staff editor for the International Trombone Journal and Film Score Monthly Online Journal.  She holds a Master’s and DMA in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas and received a Bachelor’s degree with University and Latin Honors from Brigham Young University.  When not involved in music she enjoys playing with her dog, Zephyr, backpacking, and watching Doctor Who.

Kevin Dugat and Seth Lafler, with Richard Rivale (Piano)

  • This set of three songs was commissioned by a consortium led by Kevin Dugat, whose artistic journey serves as the work's foundation. Through Kevin's journal writings and much discussion, Alicia Method composed three beautiful poems that touch on ideas of home, the passing of time, and—more broadly— the struggles, acceptances, and triumphs of an artist's journey through introspective personal development.

    The work was conceived in December of 2022 when Dugat was walking through Central Park and heard a tenor voice singing. The voice struck an idea in Kevin to have a piece written featuring voice and tenor trombone. After much consideration, Dugat reached out to well-known composer David Faleris, who agreed to compose the piece. The desire of all involved is that this creates a viable work in the repertoire to feature the trombone and the instrument it often aspires to replicate, the human voice. This work features rich melodic ideas and a complexity in rhythm that captures both those performing and those enjoying the piece.

  • Kevin Dugat - Kevin Dugat is a trombonist and educator based in Boston, Massachusetts. Since moving to New England in 2021, he has performed with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Pops, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

    Before moving to Boston, Dugat was the Coordinator of University Bands and Adjunct Professor of Brass at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, from 2017-2021. Kevin assisted with the University Concert Band, conducted the University Basketball Band, the University Brass Ensemble, and the University Jazz Band, and taught all low brass majors. While at Schreiner University, he led a growth initiative that saw the band’s number grow from 13 to over 40 students and music major numbers jump from 2 to above 20 students. Since 2017, Dugat has presented lectures, masterclasses, and recitals at universities in Texas, Alabama, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

    Originally from Kerrville, Texas, Dugat earned a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Boston University. He also holds additional degrees from the University of Alabama and Texas State University. Dugat’s primary teachers include Toby Oft, Dr. Jonathan Whitaker, and Dr. Martin McCain.

     

    Seth Lafler - Tenor Seth Lafler is in his 11th year as the Director of Choral Music at Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, after having taught middle school choir in Kerrville ISD and Georgetown ISD for three years. He holds a Master of Education in Administration from Lamar University (‘22) and is a proud alum of Texas State University (‘10) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He serves as the chancel choir director at First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville and maintains an active performance schedule as a soloist and with San Antonio Chamber Choir. He resides in Kerrville with his wife Katie, an 8th-grade English teacher, and their dog Archie.

    Richard Rivale - Richard Rivale is a pianist from Anaheim, California and currently active in Boston, Massachusetts. Along with playing the violin and conducting Bach to new music premieres, he is also a recitalist, recently playing with James Markey of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Richard has played in or for a masterclass with critically acclaimed artists such as John Harbison and Sasha Romero, worked with musicians who are currently in major orchestras, and played as an orchestra pianist under conductors such as David Robertson and Leonard Slatkin. Within the last few summers, he was a staff pianist or vocal coach at the Carsten Svanberg Trombone Seminar, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Richard also performs throughout the East Coast, having performed in Carnegie Hall's Zankel and Weill Halls the last three years. His studies were at the New England Conservatory of Music, The Juilliard School, and are at Boston University as a Doctoral candidate in Collaborative Piano. 

Brandon Slocumb, Huntingdon College

  • This programmatic work celebrates the beauty of Japan while also telling the story of the Tsunami that struck the country in 2011. This work has seven movements: Land of Beauty, Nature Threatens, Tsunami!, Disaster, Pain!!!, Japanese People Mobilizing!, Healing Process, and Land of the Rising Sun is back more beautiful than ever!!!

    The movements are sometimes separated with a pause but not always. With this in mind, I created a slide show to help the audience follow the story and differentiate the movements. I hope to also present the slideshow if I am nominated to perform at ITF but it is not required for the work to be performed. This work uses many extended techniques such as multiphonics, flutter-tongue, glissandi, and extreme dynamic shifts.

  • Dr. Brandon Slocumb is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Music at Huntingdon College where he was awarded the Dr. and Mrs. John N. Todd III Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023. His primary teaching responsibilities include Low Brass, Music History and Conducting courses. Dr. Slocumb also serves as the Director of Music at Eastwood Presbyterian Church where he directs the choir and supervises instrumental music. His previous experience includes teaching at LaGrange College, Birmingham-Southern College, Alabama A & M University, and Samford University. From 2009-18 he operated a large low brass studio in the Birmingham area while working as a freelance trombonist. He has presented and/or performed numerous state, national, and international conferences and performed in regional orchestras, jazz ensembles, and commercial groups. Dr. Slocumb holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Samford University and Master’s and Doctoral degrees in trombone from the University of North Texas and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Sérgio Simões, Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Georg Philipp Telemann's Sonata in f minor, TWV 41:f1 is a notable work originally composed for bassoon and continuo, has been meticulously transcribed and edited by myself to suit the unique tonal qualities and expressive capabilities of the bass trombone.

    Telemann’s Sonata in F Minor is a quintessential example of Baroque music, characterized by its intricate melodies and rich harmonic textures. In addition to transcribing the piece, I have personally written the Baroque ornamentations, ensuring they complement the original composition while enhancing its expressive depth.

    My edition aims to preserve the integrity of Telemann’s work while bringing a fresh perspective through the deep, resonant sound of the bass trombone. This adaptation not only highlights the instrument’s versatility but also offers a new dimension to the piece, making it interesting to the trombone audience.

    Through this performance, I endeavor to convey the emotional depth and technical brilliance of Telemann’s work, inviting listeners to experience the timeless beauty of Baroque music in a novel and engaging way. I am confident that this rendition, with its carefully crafted ornamentations, will resonate with both connoisseurs of classical music and new listeners alike.

  • Sérgio Rainho Simões joined the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra as Bass Trombone in September 2016 and was appointed trombone teacher at the Universidad de Guadalajara in September 2017.

    A native of Coimbra, Portugal, Sérgio attended to Cantanhede Academy of Music, Coimbra Conservatory of Music and Conservatorium van Amsterdam. His teachers included Ben van Dijk, Jörgen van Rijen, Remko de Jager, Pierre Volders and Bart van Lier.

    He has performed as guest with other major orchestras throughout his career including the Gulbenkian Orchestra (Portugal) and Radio Filharmonisch Orkest (Holand).

    He has been the recipient of some performance awards including first prize at the 2020 Jeju International Brass Competition.

    He is also an active chamber musician in ensemble such as Lusitanian Brass Trio, and Threebones that has recorded a debut album that was presented during the 2021 International Trombone Festival.

Aaron Chan, Robert Conquer, Benjamin Storm, and Dominic Ghiglione

  • BoneBlind is written by Brandon Mirvil, a trombonist and composer. I have known Brandon from our studies at the Frost School of Music and the University of Miami - he was an undergrad in composition while I was pursuing my doctorate degree. His music resonated strongly with me and I was a great admirer of his compositional style. Thus, I was greatly honored and excited when he asked me to perform this trombone quartet for his graduating composition recital along with him and two other colleagues of ours. BoneBlind premiered in February 2024 and represents a fresh take on the modern musical writing for trombone quartet, featuring unique harmonies and tonalities, beautiful and unforgettable melodies, and a complex range of emotions.

    Mirvil describes this piece as "about me almost being set free of the shackles of what people thought about me and my music yet still having the care of what people thought cloud over me at times.  I had moments of both, yet overall, I was moving in the right direction. I knew what tendencies I had to work out it was just a matter of losing that blindness completely. Opening my eyes to what I really want to say with my music and letting that speak for itself."

  • Trombonist Robert Conquer is quickly establishing himself as one of Canada’s top young musicians. As an orchestral musician, he has performed in concert with the Canadian Opera Company, the National Arts Centre and the Philadelphia Orchestras. As a soloist, Robert was the 1st prize winner of the Canada Council for the Arts – Michael Measures prize in 2022, performing Nino Rota’s Concerto for Trombone on tour across Canada. He won 1st prize in the 2020 Concours OSM, wherein he also received numerous additional prizes. Robert is currently the Principal Trombone of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra.

    Ben Storm is a Toronto-based trombonist who currently holds the position of Principal

    Trombone with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. As a freelance musician, Ben has performed with orchestras such as the Niagara Symphony, Canadian Opera Company, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. At home in a variety of styles and ensembles, Ben has also performed with the Hannaford Street Silver Band, and plays regularly with the Band of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

     

    Dominic Ghiglione is a trombonist & educator currently based in Toronto, ON. Dominic has performed with various ensembles and orchestras of all genres including the Hamilton Philharmonic, Esprit Orchestra, Hannaford Silver Band & Regina Symphony Orchestra, amongst many others. In addition, he has had the privilege of attending many prestigious international summer music programs including the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Domaine Forget Music Academy and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival masterclass series in Lübeck, Germany.

    Aaron Chan is a tenor and bass trombonist from Toronto, Canada and previously based in Miami, FL. He served as the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Punta Gorda Symphony Orchestra. As an active freelance musician in South Florida, he has performed with the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Frost Symphony Orchestra. While in Canada, Aaron has also performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Philharmonic, and the National Academy Orchestra at the Brott Music Festival.